Peanut Grower April 2021

The

PEANUTGROWER ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

APRIL 2021

THE PEANUT PRODUCER'S MARKETING & PRODUCTION MAGAZINE www.peanutgrower.com

New For Your Spray Program

The Race Against Leaf Spot Requires A Good Start 3 Practices For Managing Yield-Robbing Parasites

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APRIL 2021

PEANUTGROWER ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

APRIL 2021

THE PEANUT PRODUCER'S MARKETING & PRODUCTION MAGAZINE www.peanutgrower.com

New For Your Spray Program

Volume 33 • Number 4

The Race Against Leaf Spot Requires A Good Start 3 Practices For Managing Yield-Robbing Parasites

Departments 4

Editor’s Note No rest for the weary

5

News Briefs Coastal Growers break ground

8

Market Watch Similar acreage expected in 2021

20 Peanut Pointers Match yield goals with water quality, quantity

Stay Connected

10 Features

7

In Memoriam: Frank McGill A tribute to “Mr. Peanut,” who had a profound impact on the industry.

10 Peanuts And The Pandemic

A good quality crop would boost the in-shell market.

12 The Race Against Leaf Spot

Be aggressive in protecting your crop against this disease since defoliation happens quickly.

14 Yield-Robbing Parasites

Root-knot nematodes are the primary microscopic pest, but sting and lesion can be found.

16 New For Your Spray Program

Find out what’s registered for use in peanut and what’s in the pipeline.

Sign up for the monthly e-newsletter at peanutgrower.com to have exclusive industry news and content delivered directly to your inbox.

www.peanutgrower.com Follow The Peanut Grower on Twitter @PeanutGrower TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

18 Finding Heat Stress Biomarkers

Clemson scientists study heat stress, which directly reduces peanut yield.

Cover photo by Mark Gregory, International Peanut Group, of a commercial field of Spanish-type cultivar IPG 3628.

APRIL 2021 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION Editor Amanda Huber ahuber@onegrower.com Copy Editor Vicky Boyd vlboyd@onegrower.com Art Director Ashley Kumpe

ADMINISTRATION Publisher/Vice President Lia Guthrie (901) 497-3689 lguthrie@onegrower.com Associate Publisher Carroll Smith (901) 326-4443 Sales Manager Scott Emerson (386) 462-1532 semerson@onegrower.com Audience Services Kate Thomas (847) 559-7514 Production Manager Kathy Killingsworth (901) 767-4020 kkillingsworth@onegrower.com For subscription changes or change of address, call (847) 559-7578 or email peanutgrower@omeda.com

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Scott Monfort Extension Agronomist University of Georgia Dell Cotton Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Assn., Franklin, VA Kris Balkcom Agri-Program Associate Auburn University Dan Anco Extension Peanut Specialist Clemson University

Emi Kimura Extension Agronomist Texas A&M University David Jordan Extension Agronomist North Carolina State University Glen Harris Extension Agronomist University of Georgia Jason Ferrell Extension Weed Specialist University of Florida

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC Mike Lamensdorf PRESIDENT/TREASURER Lia Guthrie PUBLISHER/VICE PRESIDENT The Peanut Grower (ISSN 1042-9379) is an agribusiness magazine for U.S. peanut producers. Published in eight monthly issues, January through July and November. Annual subscriptions are $40.00. Single Copy price is $5.00. Annual overseas subscriptions are $70.00, including Canada/Mexico. Periodicals postage paid at at Memphis, Tennessee, and at additional mailing offices. Copyright © 2021 One Grower Publishing, LLC, all rights reserved except where otherwise noted. The Peanut Grower ® is a registered trademark, which reserves all rights granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in association with the registration. POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO OMEDA COMMUNICATIONS, CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, P.O. BOX 1388, NORTHBROOK, IL 60065-1388. All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claim as its own, and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Printed in the USA.

Editor’sNote Editor’s Note No Rest For The Weary

T

he first workday after the time changed back to daylight savings, my husband came home and plopped down into his easy chair without saying a word.

This was not his standard behavior.

Usually, he comes in, greets me, maybe we talk a few minutes, and then he’s back out the door and off to the barn to work around the farm.

After a few more minutes of silence and with my worry level creeping increasing, I asked him if he was OK. Amanda Huber “You think the time change has you Editor, The Peanut Grower whooped and out of sorts today?”

“No,” he said. “It was just much hotter than I expected it to be today.”

Oh, that explained it. Working inside and being on deadline, I had not ventured out much. The Florida heat can make anyone woozy, even the hardiest of native stock, and especially if you are hoping spring will last little longer.

If the heat is here to stay, will you be ready to combat those typical hot-weather peanut foes even earlier this season? Most peanut disease and insect pests are affected by the weather. Hot and dry favors lesser cornstalk borer. Hot and rainy likely means more white mold. While you may see more of these pests when conditions are right, it’s best to be prepared no matter the weather.

As University of Georgia Extension entomologist Mark Abney is fond of saying, “We know we are going to have some pests in every field, every year.” It’s the same whether it is insects, diseases or weeds.

You can count on some of these problems to be in your fields. The key is minimizing risk, preventing what problems you can and being timely to stay ahead of the pest pressure. Start clean, scout and follow Peanut Rx to get off to a good start to the season. And if you need to take a break in the easy chair, go ahead. But not a long break or pests will get the upper hand.

One Grower Publishing, LLC, also publishes Cotton Farming, Rice Farming, Soybean South and Corn South.

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THE PEANUT GROWER • APRIL 2021

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NewsBriefs News Briefs 2020 Crop Value

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, peanuts averaged about 21 cents per pound or $414 per ton last season, 1% higher than 2019.

The value of the crop at the farm level is $1.27 billion, a 12.7% increase from 2019. Harvested peanut acres were up 16.3%.

The highest average price was paid in New Mexico at $656 per ton, followed

by Texas at $526 per ton. The lowest price average was paid in Arkansas at $388 per ton. Mississippi and Georgia were next lowest at about $400 per ton.

Approximately 51% of peanut revenue was produced in Georgia. Ranking second in revenue was Alabama at 10%, followed by Florida with 9%.

Quality Adjustment Program Deadline Extended

Because of recent winter storms and clarifications needed for the program rules, USDA is extending the deadline to April 9 for agricultural producers to apply for the Quality Loss Adjustment Program.

The U.S. Peanut Federation urged

USDA to extend the deadline because of the need for clarity in the rules.

The QLA program assists producers whose eligible crops suffered quality losses due to qualifying drought, excessive moisture, flooding, hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, typhoons, volcanic activity, or wildfires in 2018 and 2019.

Eligible crops include those for which federal crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program coverage is available, especially peanuts and cotton that experienced quality losses these two years.

Assistance is available in counties that received a presidential emergency disaster declaration or secretarial disaster designation. For drought, a county rated by the U.S. Drought monitor as having a D3 designation (extreme drought) or higher. Producers in counties that did not receive a qualifying declaration or designation may still apply but must also provide supporting documentation.

FSA will issue payments once the application period ends. If the total amount of calculated QLA payments exceeds available program funding, payments will be prorated.

In Brief • Quality Loss Adjustment Program deadline extended to April 9.

• Industry representatives selected for trade ag advisory board.

• Groundbreaking held for Coastal Growers shelling plant.

• Hormel acquires Planters from Kraft Heinz.

Trade Office Appoints Peanut Committee

The USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative recently announced the appointment of several new members to serve on the Agricultural Technical Advisor y Committee for Tobacco, Cotton and Peanuts. Those representing the peanut industry include: Grant Belden – Golden Peanut & Tree Nuts; Dell Cotton – Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Association; Stephanie Grunenfelder – American Peanut Council; Greg Harnish – Birdsong Peanuts; Don Koehler – Georgia

The city of Atmore, Alabama, and Coastal Growers LLC held a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off company operations. The event was held in front of Coastal Growers’ new facility at 250 Carpet Drive, across from Masland Carpets in the Atmore Industrial Park.

Distinguished speakers included included Gov.r Kay Ivey, Mayor Jim Staff, Coastal Growers president and CEO Dirk Lindsey, as well as managing partners Joe Parker and Brad Smith.

Farmers in southwest Alabama and some from Georgia joined together to form Coastal Growers. The cooperative shelling and storage facility will sit on more than 60 acres, cost $87 million and is expected to bring more than 150 jobs to the area.

Smith and Parker, two of the driving forces behind the project, say the Atmore location is the perfect site for the company.

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ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION

Groundbreaking Held For Coastal Growers

“The peanuts we have in this area are among the highest quality available, yet we really have no infrastructure for shelling,” says Parker, who is owner and general manager of Summerdale Peanut in Baldwin County.

Glenn Spivey, president of Dothan’s Hollis & Spann Inc., will lead construction efforts for the project. Spivey says the new facility, encompassing more than 400,000 square feet, will take about a year to build.

APRIL 2021 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION

NewsBriefs News Briefs

Georgia Peanut Commission Leads Celebration To kick off “March is National Peanut Month,” the Georgia Peanut Commission hosted the Georgia PB&J Day at the Capitol and donated 10,080 jars of peanut butter to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Ben Burgess, corporate relations manager says, “One jar can make several meals for a family or individual in need. This donation will help the nearly 20% of Georgia residents and the one-in-four children who are food insecure in the state.”

Atlanta Community Food Bank serves more than 700 nonprofit partner agencies with hunger relief programs throughout 29 counties in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.

In other events, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp presented a proclamation recognizing March as National Peanut Month while Sen. Larry Walker III, chairman of the Agricultural Commodity Commission for Peanuts; Richard Pasco – Mars Wrigley; Evans Plowden – American Peanut Shellers Association; Karl Zimmer – Premium Peanut.

Members of ATAC provide advice and information regarding trade issues that affect both domestic and foreign production and trade concerning tobacco, cotton and peanuts. In addition, ATAC members furnish advisory opinions and reports regarding trade policy as requested by the secretary of agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative 6/

THE PEANUT GROWER • APRIL 2021

Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, and Rep. Robert Dickey, chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, presented resolutions recognizing the importance of Georgia’s peanut industry.

Peanuts and peanut butter were promoted during the event by industry partners serving grilled PB&Js, country-fried peanuts, peanut candy and more.

Sponsors included the Georgia Peanut Commission, National Peanut Buying Points Association, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Federal State Inspection Service, American Peanut Shellers Association, The Peanut Institute, Premium Peanut, Southern Ag Carriers, The Hershey Co., Peanut Proud, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Loyal Q and Brew, and Just Bakery of Atlanta.

or their designees.

Hormel To Acquire Planters

Planters has been producing snack nuts for 115 years, but the future will be under the direction of Hormel, a company known for Spam and other meat products.

Hormel acquired Planters from Kraft Heinz for $3.35 billion. The deal, the largest in Hormel’s history, was funded with a mix of cash on hand and the issuance of new debt. It’s expected to close in the second quarter.

The marriage has long been rumored for several reasons. First, Hormel has a strong position in the nut butter market with well-known brands Skippy and Justin’s. Adding Planters brings Hormel more into the nut snacks category. The transaction also brings Hormel into the snacking business overall as Planters includes the Cheez Balls and Corn Nuts brands.

According to Hormel, Planters’ net sales in 2020 were roughly $1 billion, and owning the brand will enhance overall profit margins and cash flow.

PEANUTGROWER.COM

IN MEMORIAM

Frank McGill: ‘Mr. Peanut’

F

rank McGill’s love for the University of Georgia started long before his career with them began. In the early 1930s and in the middle of the Great Depression, the university gave his brother, James Millard McGill, an opportunity for a college education, even though the family didn’t have the means to pay his tuition.

Instead, the McGill’s 1927 Model T Ford was used to carry two butchered hogs and bushels of home-grown sweet potatoes to the university as payment. An 8-year-old Frank McGill said it changed his life forever.

“I decided then that I wanted to know more about a place that would reach out to my brother and make a way for him during those Depression years,” McGill said in his book, “From the Mule to the Moon.” “Such was the beginning of a relationship that would eventually evolve into my tenure of 31 years on the University of Georgia’s Extension faculty.”

A Profound Impact McGill was instrumental in increasing peanut yields exponentially during his time with UGA Extension. The “package approach” to peanut production that McGill’s UGA peanut team developed was adopted and carried out by county agents.

Georgia’s peanut yields increased from 955 pounds per acre in 1955 to 2,040 pounds per acre by 1967 and 3,220 pounds per acre in 1974.

During his career, McGill was the recipient of numerous local, state, national and international awards. His work took him to four continents and 20 countries, some of which credit McGill with starting their peanut industries. In 2017, McGill was one of 12 scientists recognized for his impact on world agriculture as part of UGA’s centennial celebration.

During his tenure, McGill served as president of the American Peanut Research and Education Society. He was technical adviser to the Georgia Peanut Commission, U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, National Peanut Council and National Peanut Growers Group. He was D.W. Brooks Distinguished Professor of Agronomy and received the Distinguished UGA Faculty Award.

A Man Of Service McGill was born Dec. 16, 1925, on a small family row-crop farm in Tift County. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. McGill, who migrated from Randolph County, Alabama, in 1911. He had two older brothers, Millard McGill and Harold McGill, and two older sisters, Mary Sue Polk and Doris Jones.

A veteran of World War II, McGill was a ground-to-air radio operator in the U.S. Army Air Force from September 1945 until January 1947, serving at Ladd Field in Fairbanks, Alaska.

In 1950, after graduating Abraham Baldwin Agricultural TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Science Dean Sam Pardue, left, presented Frank McGill with the Medallion of Honor during a special event May 2, 2019, on the UGA Tifton campus.

College and the University of Georgia, he completed a master’s degree in agronomy in 1958 from the University of Arkansas.

McGill, a lifelong resident of Tift County, passed away March 3. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Janet Reed McGill from Blakely. He is also survived by their four children and spouses: Mark and Myra McGill of Tifton, Becky and Steve Barber of Marietta, Laurie and John Bolen of Tifton, and Kelly and Stanley Dean of Sandy Springs, as well as 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

McGill was an active member and lay leader of his church, Tifton First United Methodist. He was a man of great faith and was driven by a passion for missions and service. Hard work was his joy.

One behalf of The Peanut Grower, our sincere condolences to the family of Frank McGill, forever Mr. Peanut in our hearts.

A Few Of McGill's Awards  Inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1996.  Inducted into the Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame in 1982.  Received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Peanut Council in 1999.  Received the American/World Agriculture Award from the National County Agents Association in 2000.  Received the Valor Award from Valent in 2018.

APRIL 2021 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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MarketWatch Market Watch Surveys Indicate Similar Or Slight Reduction In Peanut Acres

T

rading in the U.S. market is relatively quiet with movement only on small quantities as buyers take a wait-and-see attitude toward the new crop. A planting intentions report was due at the end of March.

Farmers holding out on contracting were looking at both cotton and corn to compete for those peanut acres in 2021.

This bit of leverage may help in contract negotiations for new crop farmer stock, which is now at $500 per ton in some areas.

Last year, contracting was at $425, so we are at least $75 per ton higher, which equates to at least 6 cents per pound higher on shelled grades for 2021 crop. Planting decisions will soon be made, and then the market will watch the weather.

The United States produced a 3-million-ton crop last year with great weather. If acres planted for the 2021 crop are similar and we have dry weather and a lack of rain, the market will quickly rise.

Manufacturers are trying to estimate demand in the COVID-19 recovery.

2021 Acreage Peanut acreage in 2020 increased 16% from the previous year. State peanut specialists’ surveys over the winter indicate planted acres about the same as last year to down 5%. There is some concern over the decline in average yield. For 2018, 2019 and 2020, yields in average pounds per acre were 4,001, 3,934 and 3,796, respectively.

For the most part, industry marketers think that it is imperative planted acres for the 2021 align closely with those planted in 2020.

Farmers will need to order peanut seed and be ready for soil temperatures to warm up to 68 degrees Fahrenheit for

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THE PEANUT GROWER • APRIL 2021

J. Tyron Spearman Contributing Editor, The Peanut Grower

Leading Marketing Indicators (March 2, 2021) 2020 Acreage (+16%) ..................................................... 1,623,000 acres 2020 Production (+12%) ............................................. 3,066,950,000 tons 2020 Yield Per Acre ................................................................ 3,796 lbs/A 2020 Market Loan .............................................................. 2,435,255 tons 2020 Remaining In Loan ................................................... 1,710,159 tons 2020-2021 Domestic Usage ............................................. (6 Mo.) + 5.9 % 2020-2021 Exports (5 Mo.) ............................................................. + 9.7 % NATIONAL POSTED PRICE (per ton) Runners -$424.55, Spanish - $415.57, Valencia and Virginias - $428.74

three consecutive days, as recommended

by University of Georgia peanut specialists. Growers are also being advised not to apply in-furrow fertilizer since tests have shown that this practice will reduce germination. Some of the newer varieties are short on certified seed, but it is encouraging that producers are wanting to give them a try. Shellers are offering seed financing to allow for payment at harvest.

sales. Another offer is a minimum-maximum pool that allows growers to participate in the shelled market movement.

In the Virginia-Carolina region and the Southwest, offers include $510-$520 per ton on Virginia type with limits.

Some areas have a $25 per-ton premium for irrigated crop. Runners are $475 per ton plus $25 for high-oleic varieties, if available. Also being offered is $25 more per ton as a seed producer.

Contracts In the Southeast, contracts are mostly $475 per ton for runner-type peanuts.

Each buying point has an allocation to be distributed to customers. Premiums include an additional $25 per ton for seed production and $25 to $50 per ton for high-oleic peanuts. Some contracts limit totals to 50% of last year’s production. Some shellers are offering $500 per ton to ensure that peanuts are grown under irrigation.

Also offered are runner pools with $435 per ton now and dividends to be determined at the end of the season after

Domestic Markets Peanut use slowed in January with total edible raw peanut usage down almost 3%. However, earlier gains in the year kept the annual usage up nearly 6%. Peanut butter still looks great, up about 4%. However, some folks predict that when the pandemic is over, consumption will likely drop as people will not be staying home.

Maybe baseball will revive the in-shell market. Peanut candy and snacks still look good, although totals dropped slightly in January. Government purchasing is down 55%, and industry PEANUTGROWER.COM

MarketWatch Market Watch leaders are encouraging more bids for domestic feeding programs.

The new 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans are favorable to peanuts and peanut butter and included the recommendation for early introduction of peanut foods for infants and children up to 24 months. If followed, this will help with the peanut allergy issue in many cases. However, according to the National Peanut Board, some pediatricians are still not following the science and recommending these guidelines to new mothers. A special pediatrician education effort was implemented to increase awareness of the new guidelines.

Export Markets In addition to the non-tariff barriers that the European Union has imposed on U.S. peanut exports to Europe, the EU and United K ingdom are now requiring a 25% tariff on peanut and peanut butter imports. The U.S.

Peanut Federation has asked U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assist in resolving these trade issues.

The EU imported nearly $180 million of U.S. peanuts and peanut products last year and $168 million in 2019. Nearly all of these exports were in-shell and shelled peanuts.

Canada and Mexico led buying for raw-shelled peanuts and peanut butter. Exports of peanut butter are down 11.1% for first four months but holding steady for now. Peanut exports are up 3.7% for the same time. China is still buying lower-grade peanuts for peanut oil.

It’s Planting Time It is an exciting time for peanut farmers. One can smell the fresh soil and feel the warm sunshine that we’ve been missing all winter. As one manufacturer said, it is an exciting time to be in the peanut

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It is an exciting time for peanut farmers. One can smell the fresh soil and feel the warm sunshine that we’ve been missing all winter. As one manufacturer said, it is an exciting time to be in the peanut butter business.

butter business.

The National Peanut Board’s Bob Parker said recently, “Americans are turning to peanuts to meet their nutritional, financial and, yes, even emotional needs. For our 7,000 peanut-farming families, that evokes pride but also a sense of responsibility and a commitment to live up to the trust consumers place in us.” PG

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APRIL 2021 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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Peanuts And The Pandemic

W

hen Food Network star Ina Garten bantered on national TV with CNN’s Anderson Cooper about their rediscovered love of the PB&J last December, it was no surprise that the classic all-American peanut butter sandwich had risen back to the top of our collective food conscious — not only filling our bellies but soothing our souls during trying times.

As we have during similar times of economic uncertainty, Americans have turned more to peanuts to meet their nutritional, financial and emotional needs.

After peanut consumption hit a low of 5.5 pounds per capita in the United States in 1996, U.S. farmers came together to form NPB in 2000 and get to the bottom of the decline.

Through the hard work of the organization and its industry partners, peanut consumption hit a record 7.6 pounds per capita in 2020. Consumption may have gone higher had it not been for limits in supply and constraints on manufacturing capacity for peanut butter.

Primary Factor Behind Growth Beginning March 2020, as with many foods, peanut products were wiped from retail shelves quickly and manufacturers struggled to build inventory back. Snack peanut sales were hit hard primarily from the travel halts and loss of sporting events. Candy sales also experienced an initial loss as fewer people frequented convenience stores, airport gift shops and movie theaters.

It was clear early in the pandemic that consumer food purchasing behaviors were rapidly changing to meet the new normal.

Short-term adjustments in what and how we bought things evolved into new lifestyles. People bought groceries online, turned away from dining out and relied on food delivery services or prepared their meals at home. According to a recent report by the National Confectioners Association, 61% of consumers bought groceries online in 2020. Impulse buying for items like candy and snack nuts took a sharp turn down-

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THE PEANUT GROWER • APRIL 2021

ward. Parents working from home and their children attending school remotely, unimpeded by peanut restrictions, turned to the flavor, nutrition, convenience – and joy – of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Economic disruptions of the pandemic have placed great hardship on many U.S. families. At less than 3 cents per gram of protein, peanut butter is an incredible value when compared to meat, tuna, dairy and tree nuts. Advancements by America’s peanut farmers in yield and efficiency have placed them among the low-cost producers of peanuts in the world. The price of peanut butter, when adjusted for inflation, cost the consumer 25% less in 2020 than it did in 1995.

A recent report on consumer behavior by J.M. Smucker Company says the pandemic accelerated the growth of peanut butter by 7.1% for the 52 weeks ending Nov. 1, 2020.

Three examples of how peanut butter consumption has expanded are:  An increase in snacking. Consumers are snacking with peanut butter and jelly more, 64% vs. 49%, in both mornings and afternoons.

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Good Quality Needed For In-Shell Market

 Younger generations are embracing PB&J. Millennials and Gen-Xers are turning to peanut butter and jelly for their families.  More Millennials and Gen-Xers have children and worked full time in 2020, thereby are having more PB&J occasions.

More Mentions, More Sales The NPB saw a 55% increase in peanut butter recipe mentions on social and other media channels with 414% more mentions about its non-perishability. Increased social media conversations about peanut butter translated to retail sales. According to research firm IRI, there was an 8.8% increase in peanut butter retail sales volume in 2020. Unit sales of peanut butter were up only 5.2%, as manufacturers pivoted to larger container sizes to keep pace with demand. The average retail price paid per pound was lower than the average of the previous four years.

Nearly 55% of peanuts are used for peanut butter in the United States, more than for any other category. Because of taste, affordability, nutrition and shelf stability, NPB continues to see significant growth in the category, and as more peanut butter manufacturing capacity comes online and with a large 2020 crop, we expect this growth to continue.

Demand for peanut butter by food banks was also unprecedented in 2020.

Peanut butter manufacturers struggled to keep up with normal demand, making it difficult at times to supply food banks.

TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

Again, as manufacturing capacity ramps up in 2021 and the abundant supply finds its way, peanut butter will play a major part in reducing food insecurity.

Let’s Talk Snack Peanuts Early in the pandemic, snack peanuts were depleted from grocery shelves just as peanut butter. But consumers did not replenish snack peanuts at the same pace as peanut butter. In-shell peanuts especially lost sales when sporting events reduced or eliminated fans. Snack nuts also lost sales to impulse buyers in convenience stores.

However, 2020 was an exceptional year for snack peanuts according to IRI retail sales data. Sales volume rose by 7.25%, leading to the highest volume year since 2016. The increase in snack peanut sales was slightly higher than the 7.2% increase for the snack nut category as a whole.

Similar to peanut butter, unit sales were also down, likely an indication of fewer impulse sales of small packs of peanuts in convenience stores and airport gift shops.

With the trials of the pandemic, it is heartwarming to hear all the ways peanut butter brings joy and about new generations discovering their love of peanut butter and peanuts for the first time. As an industry, we are optimistic that peanut butter, peanut candy and snack peanuts will continue to represent fond memories and lifelong emotional connections for millions of Americans. PG

It didn’t earn its way into one of the most famous songs of all time without good reason. “Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks” is as accurate today of the millions of fans taking in a ballgame as it was in 1908 when written by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer. Without America’s favorite pastime, the in-shell market declined.

Nathan Smith, Clemson University Extension agricultural economist, says that from August to December 2020, in-shell use declined 28.7% from the same period the previous year.

However, 2020 crop quality, because of the rainy harvest season, has the Virginia-type market volume the lowest since 2015.

“At $450 per-ton contracts, total acres were almost unchanged from 2019 but produced 12.5% fewer tons because of horrible harvest conditions,” says George Lovatt, president of Lovatt and Rushing, a peanut broker. “That’s a deficit of 48,000 tons, and that’s huge.”

Dell Cotton, executive director of the Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Association, says, “We’ve gone from one extreme to the other. They couldn’t get any prettier than the 2019 crop. But the 2020 crop was not the best.

We are going to struggle because of the decrease in Virginia production, coupled with the quality problems and the appearance of the in-shells.

“We do our best to remind consumers and the general public that in-shell peanuts are always in their grocery store,” Cotton says, “But, in my opinion, Virginia producers are going to need incentive to increase acreage to make up for the quality and production shortfall.” PG

Article by Bob Parker, National Peanut Board president and CEO APRIL 2021 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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The Race Against Leaf Spot Aggressive protection is needed as defoliation happens quickly.

By Amanda Huber

H

Three Weeks To Defoliation Why is a good start needed? Because leaf spot can quickly defoliate a peanut plant. North Carolina State University peanut agronomist David Jordan took pictures of the defoliation of an untreated check plot to demonstrate how fast yield can be lost.

“The untreated control plot shows how quickly peanuts can go from good canopy coverage to defoliated. On Aug. 23, the crop shows a few spots coming in, and by Sept. 1, those spots are moving up the canopy.

“One week later, it is amazing to see the level of defoliation on the plant. By Sept. 16, it is nearly completely defoliated, all in a three-week time period. Things can go downhill fast.”

Leaf Spot By The Numbers Jordan says if 20% of the leaves have visible lesions, then fungicide sprays are no longer as effective. At 40% leaf defoliation, there will be measurable yield loss.

“Our fungicides are more of a protective than a curative. If you get to 20% lesions in the bottom of that canopy, you are in a battle with how quickly defoliation occurs.

“You can go from 20% lesions to 80% within two weeks, and that’s why fungicide applications early in the season, maintaining those spray intervals and being intensive with the spray schedule as much as possible is important to protect yield.

Jordan says one reason for a solid spray program is that it Sulfur Adds A Proven Boost To Efficacy “Going into 2021, what I suggest to growers when planning your fungicide program is to recognize not only new and exciting fungicides but also some old standbys that could be a benefit to your program,” says Bob Kemerait, UGA Extension plant pathologist.

One of those products is sulfur, such as Microthi from UPL. When added to Fungicide Resistance Action Committee 3, 7 and 11 fungicides, the micronized sulfur enhances leaf spot control.

“This sulfur product at 5 pounds per acre, when mixed with te-

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THE PEANUT GROWER • APRIL 2021

NC STATE EXTENSION

ave you ever watched an advanced level track event, such as the Olympic 100-meter dash? The athletes spend a lot of time warming up on the track, stretching, fixing the blocks, getting into their starting stance, and even at times standing up and starting the set-up process all over again. Why spend that much time setting up for the race? Obviously, the runner must get off to a good start to have chance to win. The same can be said for the race against leaf spot. Without a good start, yield will be lost.

increases the flexibility with digging. “We need to make sure we have the crop protected to maturity. We can’t dig everything at the same time, even though they often are ready at the same time. Vines need to be protected so that there is more flexibility for how long we can leave peanuts in the field to reach optimum maturity.”

The Key Is Early Protection University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait says producers should know the susceptibility to leaf spot of the variety they are planting. “Some newer varieties have more tolerance to leaf spot.” He also says the in-furrow product Velum gives a boost to leaf spot control.

“If you had problems with leaf spot in 2020, go back and look at your spray dates. What was the interval between sprays? What products were you using?

“We have quite a few premium leaf spot fungicides out there.

However, the backbone of a leaf spot program remains chlorothalonil. It is not the best product by itself, but if we tankmix it with another product, you can expect continued protection against this pathogen.

“Use the premium products earlier in the season and then the chlorothaonil tankmixes. Used effectively, you probably won’t get into a problem with leaf spot later in the season.” PG buconazole, which we know is no longer as effective, you will see improved leaf spot control. The same when you mix it with azoxystrobin, you will see improved leaf spot protection by adding the sulfur. Mixing it with a Convoy program means an improved leaf spot control program.”

Kemerait says research data supports adding the micronized sulfur to the tankmix of these single-site fungicides to which leaf spot has developed resistance or is at risk of developing resistance to boost efficacy. PG PEANUTGROWER.COM

Southern Peanut Growers Conference

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Yield-Robbing Parasites Root-knot nematodes are still the primary microscopic pest in peanut, but both sting and lesion nematodes can be found in some areas.

By Amanda Huber

M

icroscopic, voracious, deceptive, invasive, damaging. There are many ways to describe nematodes. In peanut, the most common is the rootknot nematode, although both sting and lesion

can be found.

Because nematodes are microscopic and symptoms are often not recognized, they are frequently undermanaged. Producers are losing yield to this destructive pest and should take steps to ensure adequate control.

Start With Crop Rotation For nematode management, there are three primary practices: crop rotation, resistant cultivars and nematicide applications.

Rotation with a crop that is not a host for root-knot nematode is always the starting place in management. This is always considered an effective management tool.

Next would be resistant cultivars, and University of Florida Extension nematologist Zane Grabau says in peanut, there are several resistant cultivars available now.

“TifNV-HighO/L was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service in Tifton, Georgia, a few years ago. This variety has the near immunity to nematodes as does Tifguard with the high-oleic oil trait. It also has resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus and is similar in plant and seed characteristics to Tifguard, which is still available to plant.”

Another option, Georgia-14N, was released several years ago by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station and developed at the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station.

It is a small-seeded, runner-type peanut variety that is resistant

To Manage Nematodes: ■ ■ ■

Crop rotation Variety selection Nematicides: ◽ Telone II (4.5-9 gal/A) ◽ AgLogic (7 lbs/A in furrow) ◽ Velum Total (18 fl oz/A in furrow) ◽ Velum (6.5 to 6.84 fl oz/A in furrow) ◽ Propulse (13.6 fl oz/A pegging time) ◽ Vydate CLV (for application information, see label) ◽ Return XL (for application information, see label)

to spotted wilt and root-knot nematodes. It also has high-oleic oil chemistry.

What To Do In Fields With Heavy Pressure “TifNV-HighO/L, Tifguard and Georgia 14N all have the same parentage and very strong resistance to root-knot nematodes,” Grabau says. “Plant resistant cultivars in fields with heavy root-knot nematode pressure, and they are going to perform about as well as they would in a field without pressure.

“Some data we’ve seen over the last couple of years shows that in heavy root-knot nematode fields, you are better off going with a resistant cultivar rather than a nematicide with a susceptible cultivar.

“Under heavy pressure, these are good options for preserving yield. If you have sting or lesion nematodes, the resistant cultivars do not work against these species,” he says.

In the Southeast, nematodes found in peanut are often assumed to be root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne arenaria and Meloidogyne javanica). However, Florida peanut growers may also find sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus) to be the primary problem in their field.

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THE PEANUT GROWER • APRIL 2021

PEANUTGROWER.COM

Sting nematode does not cause galls like rootknot nematodes, but rather stunts the root system, prunes lateral roots and causes tiny, pin-prick size brown lesions on the pods.

This impairs root system function that leads to above-ground symptoms and overall reduced growth.

Knowing The Nematodes Present Recognizing nematode symptoms is a first step in diagnosing a problem. After that, a soil sample and analysis by a professional nematology lab is needed to confirm which nematodes, if any, may be contributing to poor crop growth.

Sting nematodes are as damaging to peanuts as root-knot nematodes, with a single nematode detected in a soil sample enough to warrant management. Sting nematodes cause yellowing (chlorosis), stunting or death of plants, resulting in patches with a skippy stand. These above-ground symptoms are often obvious early in the year, unlike root-knot nematode symptoms that generally appear later in the year from JulyAugust. Sting nematode also prefers very sandy soil with typically 90% or more sand and little organic matter.

Symptoms of root infection also vary among these nematodes. Root-knot nematode causes distinct galls — irregular swelling — on peanut pods and roots. Sting nematode does not cause galls but rather stunts the root system, prunes lateral roots and causes tiny, pin-prick size brown lesions on the pods.

This impairs root system function which leads to above-ground symptoms and overall reduced growth.

A soil sample for nematode analysis should be performed if it is suspected for the symptoms present.

Nematicides In Furrow And At Pegging As to nematicide options, Grabau says there are a few options.

“Telon is a fumigant. We have Velum Total, which will be known as Velum going forward and is dropping the imidacloprid from the product. There is also AgLogic, which is the return of aldicarb to the peanut market.”

University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait says, in Georgia, losses to nematodes are from both the peanut root-knot and lesion.

“Growers should recognize that important management options for the root-knot nematode include crop rotation, resistant varieties and use of nematicides at planting. At-plant nematicides are an important management option. A later TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

Sting nematode is among the most damaging of all plant-parasitic nematodes. Feeding by this nematode kills the root system.

Lesion nematode damage is most easily seen on pods, which show distinct light brown lesions.

As infection progresses, the lesions become less distinct and turn black. High numbers of lesion nematodes result in extensive root and pod rotting.

nematicide application to reduce damage to the pods and pegs does not replace management decisions made before the furrow is closed.”

Although root-knot nematode is the primary type present, Kemerait says, in Georgia, lesion nematode is an emerging problem on peanuts in some areas. Lesion nematodes are often identified by the damage to pegs and pods as small tan spots with dark centers. Weakened pegs commonly cause pods to drop off, and feeding damage permits other organisms to enter the pods.

“When high numbers of lesion nematodes are present in a field, damage can occur to the pegs,” Kemerait says. “Research on this type nematode is ongoing; however, the use of Propulse or Vydate-CLV at pegging time is likely to be an important management tool.” PG Sampling For Nematodes UF Extension nematologist Zane Grabau made a video demonstrating how to take a nematode analysis soil sample. “Nematode Sampling & Management in Row Crops” can be found under “Cotton Production Videos” at http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/ phag/2021-row-crop-update-video-presentations/. It is part of the 2021 row crop update from the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Science Panhandle ag Extension team.

The UF Nematode Assay Lab, a service clinic of the UF IFAS and the Entomology and Nematology Department, also offers information on how to collect and submit samples. It can be found at http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/nematology-assay-lab/

APRIL 2021 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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New For Your Spray Program Find out what’s newly registered for use in peanuts and what is in the pipeline for future use.

By Amanda Huber

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efore planning a fungicide program, University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait says to remember three things.

“You must be timely. If you get behind or you don’t start on time for whatever reason, it will be very difficult to catch back up. So do your best to stay on time.

“After that, stay on time as best you can whether it is a 14-day interval or as much as 28 days.”

Kemerait says the third item to remember is to make sure you get good coverage with the fungicide.

“Those factors are as important as what fungicide you use.”

New Fungicides As for research trials, Kemerait says on-farm and small-plot trials have shown Excalia from Valent to be as good or better than other fungicides available for white mold.

“That doesn’t mean that you need to get away from what you’re doing, but my goal is to let you know the opportunities for an improved management program in 2021. You need to ask yourself, ‘Was my 2020 fungicide program what you needed it to be?’ If not, maybe you can add in a new product and make changes that would be something to consider.

“Excalia has been an outstanding white mold material.”

Auburn Extension plant pathologist Amanda Strayer-Scherer also worked with the product.

“We’ve gotten some good research results with Excalia. In terms of white mold, it doesn’t always have the best control, but when you incorporate it into a standard program and tankmix it with 16 /

THE PEANUT GROWER • APRIL 2021

Fungicides Now Available ■ Excalia (inpyrfluxam) is a Group 7 (SDHI) fungicide for white mold to be used at rates of 2 to 4 fluid ounces per acre. Preharvest interval is 40 days. An additional fungicide for management of leaf spot must be mixed with Excalia.

■ Velum (fluopyram) is a Group 7 (SDHI) nematicide to be used at a rate of 6.5 to 6.84 fluid ounces per acre for the suppression of nematodes. Velum, unlike Velum Total, does not contain imidacloprid for thrips control. Growers who use Velum must choose an additional product for thrips control.

New from Valent, Excalia has good results against white mold.

■ Provysol (mefentrifluconazole) is a Group 3 (triazole) fungicide for leaf spot to be used at rates of 5 fluid ounces per acre and will likely be tankmixed with products like Excalia and Convoy to provide control of leaf spot and white mold diseases. Preharvest interval is 14 days.

■ Mazinga ADV (tetraconazole + chlorothalonil) is a Group 3 + Group M5 fungicide premix for leaf spot control at a rate of 32 fluid ounces per acre. Preharvest interval is 14 days.

Herbicides In The Pipeline ■ Brake 1.2 L (fluridone), from SePRO, has been under evaluation for use in peanut weed control programs since 2013. In UGA field trials, Brake has provided good to excellent residual control of Palmer amaranth. Brake will not be a stand-alone product and will be tankmixed with other residual herbicides. Current research goals for Brake are fine-tuning application rates, tankmixes and investigating peanut variety tolerance. Brake has a mode of action that is currently under utilized in row crops (Weed Science Society of America Group 12, PDS inhibitor). Brake is not registered for use in peanuts at this time.

■ Vulcarus 4.17SC (trifludimoxazin), from BASF, is a new soil-applied residual herbicide that provides control of many broadleaf weed species including Palmer amaranth and Florida beggarweed. Peanut research with this herbicide began at UGA in 2018. Although trifludimoxazin is a WSSA Group 14 herbicide (PPO inhibitor), similar to Cobra, Reflex, Valor and Ultra Blazer, it may be more effective on PPO-resistant weeds due to a different enzyme-binding configuration. At this point, it is too early in the development stage to determine if trifludimoxazin will make a successful transition into the commercial peanut herbicide market.

another white mold product, you should get some pretty good results on white mold.”

Herbicides On The Horizon University of Georgia Extension weed specialist Eric Prostko is quick to remind producers that there are no silver bullets to be found for peanut weed control.

There are also very few herbicides in the pipeline. Two that he has been working with are Brake and Vulcarus.

“The registration for Brake is likely in the next year, but there are a few more

items that need to be addressed before that happens,” he says. “In 2020, I looked at a standard Valor program and a standard Brake program. All I did was substitute Brake for Valor. The Brake program provided comparable control to the Valor program.”

Prostko says it is still too early in the process to know if Vulcarus will make it to the peanut market.

“As this is the last herbicide in development for at least five years, I encourage you to pay particular attention to herbicide-resistance management.” PG PEANUTGROWER.COM

For the first time ever, early introduction of peanut foods is being promoted in the new

Through the National Peanut Board, America’s peanut farmers have allocated more than $35 million to food allergy research, outreach and education.

Visit preventpeanutallergies.org and dietaryguidelines.gov for more details on early introduction.

Finding Heat Stress Biomarkers Clemson scientists study heat stress, which directly reduces peanut yield, causes other problems indirectly.

A

group of researchers led

by Clemson University Plant and Environmental Sciences assistant professor Sruthi Narayanan is working to develop heat-tolerant peanut varieties. Their latest work focuses on how lipids (fats) in peanut plant anthers are altered by heat stress.

“Understanding these changes will aid in understanding the mechanisms of heat tolerance and help us determine how to develop heat-tolerant peanut varieties,” Narayanan says.

Lipids provide energy for plant growth and survival. Anthers are plant male reproductive organs that produce pollen, which is transported to the stigma of the female reproductive organ in the flower, pistil, for pollination to occur and plants to reproduce.

Reduced Pollen, Reduced Yield “Reduced pollen production and viability are the major reasons for yield loss when heat stress occurs during the flowering stage,” says Zolian Zoong Lwe, a former Clemson master’s student who conducted the study under Narayanan’s guidance and is now a doctoral student at Kansas State University. “Understanding the mechanisms underlying the decrease in pollen during heat stress will help develop tolerant peanut varieties.”

The study, funded by the National Peanut Board, the South Carolina Peanut Board and supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, began in 2018. It involved six varieties: Bailey, Georgia 12Y, Phillips, Sugg, Tifguard, and Wynne and one breeding line, SPT06-07.

“These varieties were selected to have a range of cultivars from heat sensitive to more heat or drought-tolerant,” says 18 /

THE PEANUT GROWER • APRIL 2021

Clemson assistant professor Sruthi Narayanan and graduate student Zolian Zoong Lwe study how heat stress affects peanuts as they work to develop heat-tolerant peanut varieties.

Dan Anco, Clemson Extension peanut specialist and assistant professor at the Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville, South Carolina, and one of the researchers on the study.

Test varieties were grown in fields at the Simpson Research Farm following field operation recommendations in the Clemson Peanut Money-Maker Production Guide. The plots received rainwater only.

Traits For Heat Tolerance Found Heat tents were used to heat-stress the plants for 17 days in 2018 and 18 days in 2019. Lipids were extracted from anthers in flowers collected from the plots. Researchers found heat stress caused changes in lipids needed for the plants to reproduce. The study identified lipid metabolic traits associated with heat tolerance.

“This discovery is useful in determining lipid biomarkers (measurable/

observable changes) that have important applications in breeding climate-resilient varieties,” says Sachin Rustgi, a plant breeder at the Clemson Pee Dee REC in Florence who also is part of the research team.

Other researchers involved in the study are Salman Naveed, a doctoral student at Clemson University, and Ruth Welti, a biology professor at Kansas State University.

A paper about their study appears in the scientific reports journal’s Dec. 17, 2020, edition of Springer-Nature.

According to USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service, South Carolina had 62,000 acres of peanuts at a production value of more than $46 million in 2019 and 82,000 acres that produced 278 million pounds of peanuts in 2020. PG Article by Denise Attaway, Clemson University Communications.

PEANUTGROWER.COM

NewProducts New Products AGCO Innovations Earn Eight 2021 AE50 Awards AGCO Corp. marks its 30th anniversary by receiving eight AE50 Awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers for 2021. Each year, 50 products are chosen by an international panel of industry experts as the most outstanding innovations in engineering and technology for agricultural, food and biological systems.

The 2021 AE50 award-winning products from AGCO include: Fendt Momentum planter, Fendt Ideal drive steering system, 9350 DynaFlex draper header with Auto Dock header docking system for Fendt Ideal combines, Fendt 700 Gen6 Series tractors, Fendt 1100 Vario MT Series track tractors, Fendt Teach In Headland Turn Assistant, Precision Planting FurrowForce two-stage closing system, Intelligent Agricultural Solutions’ Engage Spread Control for More Decision-Making Tools From Case IH Case IH announces the first major update of 2021 for the AFS Connect Farm desktop platform and mobile app, giving producers even more power and flexibility to manage their operation anytime, anywhere.

From the fast, easy-to-use interface to advanced full-farm data visualization and overlaid geospatial boundaries, AFS Connect Farm provides users with a continually expanding feature set designed to optimize performance, productivity and flexibility at no cost to them.

“As producers take to the field this spring, we’re excited to give them a refined AFS Connect experience and even more decision-making tools to help them increase efficiency and turn potential into profit,” says Leo Bose, Case IH AFS marketing manager lead.

“AFS Connect gives users instant access to their operation, helping them manage the farm from a remote location and make smart decisions using realtime and historical data.”

TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

TerraGator Air-Max Precision application systems.

“AGCO is proud to be recognized for so many of our advanced technologies.

Though just 30 years old, the company is built upon the legacy of brands with more than 500 years of combined experience bringing innovations to farmers. These award-winning products reflect that spirit and our continued quest to design and engineer smart, innovative equipment and agronomic-focused solutions for farmWith the latest update to the AFS Connect Farm app, users have access to a wealth of field information when they select a map from the main map screen.

With just a few taps, users can now view field-specific data, such as activity layers, scouting observations and soil zone data. Field- and vehicle-specific data is more accessible than ever, with complete field and vehicle lists visible alongside the map. This allows users to switch between a map screen, a field list and a vehicle list quickly and efficiently.

Maximize the potential of AFS Soil Command with the all-new prescription creation tool. This will allow equipment settings to be customized to match conditions in different areas of the field while on the go. Producers can save fuel, conserve soil and appropriately tailor machine agronomic output throughout the field to the crop. Users can also create prescription files for variable depth or downforce on Case IH tillage tools equipped with AFS Soil Command.

For more about Case IH and AFS Connect, visit www.caseih.com.

ers around the globe,” says Brad Arnold, senior vice president, Global Crop Cycle and Fuse Connected Services at AGCO. “This recognition clearly demonstrates AGCO’s investment in and commitment to helping make farmers’ lives easier and their operations more productive and sustainable.”

For more information on these new products, visit your nearest AGCO dealer, www.agcocorp.com or agcovirtualshowroom.com.

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FLYASH.COM APRIL 2021 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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PeanutPointers Peanut Pointers Defining IPM As we move into the season, we often think in terms of preventive treatments versus reactive treatments to address agronomic issues and pests. In reality, we use both approaches. This is in part based on logistical constraints and the ability to be timely with inputs to correct a problem.

We also may need to incorDAVID JORDAN North Carolina State porate effective practices that University prevent or minimize a probExtension Agronomist lem because we may not have a corrective tool once something develops. The ability to address issues rapidly and completely is important to protect peanut yield. If we are unable to do that, we better do something ahead of time that keeps the issue from exploding and causing yield and financial loss.

I recently read a letter to the editor in the periodical Science titled, “Stay True to Integrated Pest Management.”

The discussion was not specific to peanuts. However, the letter seemed to say that using insecticide seed treatments was not consistent with the goals of IPM. This got me thinking about how we decide if a practice should be defined as a principle of IPM, which is important because I think managing pests using IPM principles is critical and because I teach an IPM course at N.C. State.

We often think of IPM with respect to monitoring pest populations during the crop cycle and then treating based on economic thresholds that are established. Thresholds are based on pest numbers or levels of injury caused by the pest in relation to the impact on yield, crop price and cost of the treatment.

This is a core component of IPM. But knowledge and monitoring occurs well before the crop is planted, especially with peanuts. What happened in the field years ago needs to be considered. Effective fungicide seed treatments are essential in protecting peanut seedlings from pathogens and the diseases they cause to get an adequate stand. There is no substitute other than an in-furrow application of fungicide.

Our stands will be low if we do not treat, even when seed quality is good.

We also know in North Carolina that if an insecticide is not applied to suppress thrips, we will get a yield hit in most fields. One can certainly wait until peanuts have emerged to apply insecticide, but a more effective way from a logistical standpoint is to apply a systemic insecticide in the seed furrow at planting. For both seedling disease and thrips, we 20 /

THE PEANUT GROWER • APRIL 2021

know fields will exceed the economic injury level if a control practice is not used. An effective way to suppress these is to use a preventive treatment as the crop is being planted.

Even deciding to use a resistant variety for a disease is done when we plant and not after the peanuts emerge.

This, too, is a core component of IPM because we are using knowledge from the past and making a decision based on the economic impact. We also have to take into account the yield of a resistant variety versus a susceptible variety if the pest is either controlled in some other way, in the case of a susceptible variety, or the pest does not develop, as in the case of a resistant variety. What is the financial impact in both of these scenarios? Because we don’t automatically plant the resistant variety does not mean we are ignoring IPM principles. And of course, we would have major yield losses in peanuts if we did not use preplant incorporated or preemergence herbicides. We also know our weed populations will be high enough in most fields to justify herbicide use, and practical knowledge informs us that relying only on postemergence herbicides is not always, and in fact seldom, completely effective. There is nothing wrong from an IPM standpoint with using herbicides in a preventive manner.

There are many risks to peanut yields, and we have many tools to address these risks. The more we know about the history of fields and production in those fields, the more effective we can be with IPM. Preventive treatments are just as much a part of IPM as the reactive treatments. IPM depends on our knowledge of the pest both historically and contemporarily and the availability and effectiveness of the tools at our disposal.

Water Efficiency In Prolonged Drought Peanut has a shorter rooting depth than cotton and grows in sandy soils with low water-holding capacity.

It requires approximately 20 to 30 inches of water (irrigation and rainfall) per growing season depending on weather conditions. Most of this water requirement will need to be supplied by irrigation, espeEMI KIMURA cially for West Texas peanut Texas A&M AgriLife Extension growers currently under the State Extension Peanut drought conditions.

Specialist With the prolonged drought across the Southwest peanut growing regions, it is critical to estimate realistic yield goals PEANUTGROWER.COM

PeanutPointers Peanut Pointers that match irrigation capacity and water quality. As water demand of peanut is higher than other crops typically grown in the regions and if irrigation water is limited, it is advisable to plant fewer acres and irrigate adequately than providing limited water to larger acres. The latter approach will not only reduce yield potential, but also increase disease susceptibility, weed pressure and lower the peanut grade.

Under limited water availability, irrigation management becomes very important. Water demand differs at each developmental stage. In general, water use is low in the early season. It is at its peak during the reproductive period, requiring approximately 2 inches of water per week. Adjust the weekly amount based on the transpiration and evaporation.

Planting Spanish and Valencia type peanuts may help in spreading irrigation water out over the season because these peanut types are early maturing compared to runner and Virginia peanut types. Many Southwest producers are already splitting pivots into two or more crops to further improve water-use efficiency. This approach will help to provide adequate water to peanut production. Other factors that can improve water-use efficiency for peanut production include maintenance of irrigation equipment, monitoring in-season soil moisture and checking water salinity.

Planting Decisions Growers are beginning to make plans on when to start planting. I have already received several calls from growers asking about planting in the first part of April if the soil temperatures and moisture are perfect for planting. In answering this question, there are several key things I would have growers SCOTT MONFORT consider.

University of Georgia The first thing for growers to Extension Agronomist consider is the risk for tomato spotted wilt virus. Remember, planting in April presents a higher risk compared to midMay. This does not mean growers do not need to plant in April. It just means they also need to adapt other strategies for reducing TSWV, such as applying Thimet insecticide, planting good quality seed, using a proper seeding rate, planting in twin rows and at the proper plating speed, applying an in-furrow fungicide and planting into good soil moisture at the proper temperature.

Available moisture is another key factor to consider when deciding about April planting. In recent years, growers have had adequate moisture in late April but waited until May due to soil temperatures being 65 degrees F instead of 68 TWITTER: @PEANUTGROWER

Georgia Peanut Commission To Hold Referendum The Georgia Peanut Commission will hold a referendum March 15 through April 16, giving peanut producers an opportunity to vote on reaffirming the commission. State law mandates a referendum be held every three years. Georgia peanut producers invest $2 per ton to fund the commission and its research, education, promotion and communication programs.

The last referendum in 2018 passed with a 94.02 percent reaffirmation.

“I urge all peanut producers to vote in this referendum. Research, education, and promotion continue to be the core focus of the commission,” says Armond Morris, GPC chairman. “It is extremely important for growers to continue to focus their efforts on supporting research and promotional efforts through their checkoff dollars. One way for farmers to do that is by continuing their support of the Georgia Peanut Commission.”

GPC Executive Director Don Koehler urges producers to contact him by email at don@gapeanuts.com or 229-386-3470 if they have any questions about the commission’s activities or the referendum.

Peanut producers who do not receive a ballot may obtain one by calling the commission. The commission requests that anyone who receives a ballot but is no longer farming to write, “no longer producing” on the certification envelope and return it to the commission. This will assist the commission in updating its mailing list. The commission’s address is P.O. Box 967, Tifton, Georgia 31793.

The Certified Public Accounting Firm of Allen, Pritchett, and Bassett will count the votes.

APRIL 2021 • THE PEANUT GROWER /

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PeanutPointers Peanut Pointers degrees and/or they wanted to reduce their risk for TSWV. The problem is it turned off dry in early May, and they had to wait on rain until late May to early June, which reduced overall yield potential.

If a grower does not have irrigation, but has adequate moisture in late April and a soil temperature of 65 degrees or higher, with an unfavorable forecast for rainfall in the next week to 10 days, then it would be advisable to go ahead and plant.

This does not mean everyone should be planting in early to mid-April. The risk of TSWV is still very high on early plantings, even if everything else is done to lower the risk.

Call your local county agent for more information or if you need further assistance.

Seeding Rate Recommendation Now that we have entered the month of April, planting is just around the corner.

Everyone knows that there always seems to be a cold spell around Easter. Since the holiday is early in the month this year, we should be confident enough that there’ll be consistently warm temperatures for early planting by the end of KRIS BALKCOM Auburn University the month.

Extension Specialist I am sure you haven’t forgotten the weather challenges we have faced two of the past three planting seasons. The earlier start gives us a longer window of opportunity to achieve our

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highest goal. With a forecast of warmer temperatures and having higher quality seed this year, there is no reason not to get an early start.

Having high-quality seed coupled with good planting conditions brings up the topic of seeding rate. I have heard many times of producers planting higher seeding rates than our recommended six seed per foot of row. Because of this, I felt like we needed to reassess our recommendation to see if it is still correct for current varieties.

Our standard seeding rate has always been based on 36-inch row peanuts at six seed per foot of row. This is what we recommend at planting to ensure that you get four plants per foot to achieve maximum yield. If you are on 30-inch rows, it would be five seed per foot.

The seeding rate depends on the type of seed you have and the quality of that seed. If you have poor quality seed or a lower germination seed, then you would need to use a higher seeding rate.

To confirm our seeding rate recommendation, we had a test this past year where we planted different rates to see if we could come up with a yield difference. We planted at 3.5, 4, 5.5, 6, 8 and 10 seed per foot of row.

All of the various rates yielded well in this test at more than 6,200 pounds per acre. The lowest three were 5.5, 4 and 8 seed per foot, which yielded the least amount. The three highest rates were 10, 6 and 3.5. However, there was no statistical difference between these top three rates, even though there was a slight numerical difference in yield.

We will continue to look at seeding rate research, but we still feel that the recommendation of six seed per foot of row is adequate for achieving a good stand and an opportunity for maximum yield when you have good quality seed and favorable planting conditions.

PEANUTGROWER.COM

SEND LEAF SPOT PACKING.

Add new MICROTHI™ to FRAC 3, 7 and 11 applications University researchers have discovered that adding new MICROTHI micronized sulfur to FRAC 3, 7 and 11 fungicides can enhance leaf spot control in peanuts. MICROTHI actually boosts the efficacy of these single-site fungicides that have developed resistance, or are at risk of developing leaf spot resistance. Just five pounds per acre of MICROTHI added to your early and mid-season treatments is a convenient and economical way to improve disease control and improve your return on investment.

To send leaf spot packing, ask your retailer or UPL representative about new MICROTHI, or visit microthi.com.

Always read and follow label directions. MICROTHI, UPL, the UPL logo and OpenAg are trademarks of a UPL Corporation Limited Group Company. ©2021 UPL Corporation Limited Group Company. MICRO-2004

MICRO-2004 Microthi Luggage Print 7.875x10.75 v3.indd 1

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